The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Concerns of safety and aesthetics with regard to the plan to reconfigure the entrance to Lake Sarasota have come in and are posted below: 1. Given that it appears we will have no median or divider at the entrance/intersection at Mauna Loa/Bee Ridge: Are we looking at entirely eliminating any divider between north and south lanes of Mauna Loa at the busy entrance? Is this safe?  I there is some sort of divider envisioned, what will it look like?  2. Given that we are not just losing the median but also our flagpole, what might be done to re-station the flagpole, and, perhaps install a lighting system to make it more visible? All responses received ( lakesarasota@gmail.com ) will be forwarded to the agent for the developer and to Debbie Marks, our Neighborhood Services liaison.

Please note: The final form of the Lake Sarasota Business Directory is still to be determined. This is a temporary posting until all details are worked out. To be included in the directory, please contact Sandy Allen at sallen11@comcast.net , 321-5582. Hopefully final details will be presented at the Feb. 10th meeting. Note: Resident members of our  Yahoo Group  are welcome to post their business/service info for free in the  Lake Sarasota Group Database .

More about the proposed change to the intersection at Mauna Loa and Bee Ridge Rd. The responses were offered by an engineer associated with the developer involved with the project: Currently we have two lanes that can turn left onto Bee Ridge from Mauna Loa, Now that a third left turn lane is being added, what will be the directed use of the other two lanes at the intersection? Response: The proposed plan will provide two dedicated left turn lanes and one combination thru-right turn lane. What is your understanding of the purpose of the change? Response: The proposed change will relieve some congestion at the south leg connection by providing the dedicated north/east bound lane. What other changes will occur at the site - we know our first median will be removed - anything else, on any part of the intersection? Response: My desire is to maintain the existing east and west curb lines. The County has "in concept" agreed with this plan...so other changes will be minimal. What

As has been mentioned, plans are in the works to reconfigure the intersection of Mauna Loa Blvd. and Bee Ridge Rd. The plan appears to call for the removal of the first median and the creation of a third lane that would be left turn only. Here is a picture of the concept that is being proposed: We'll post more information as it becomes available.

Sometimes for one or another reason, we feel it necessary to address an action or inaction that we feel blights our streets. Here's some useful advice on handling matters of code: Things we have found to be successful before calling the county: ~ Write a nice letter to the owner as a "concerned resident." Renee has some "form letters."  ~ Talk personally to the neighbor about the situation and how it affects home values (we did this with neighbors when their big coach camper was blocking our sidewalk ~ it offered an opportunity to get to know them and they happily moved the camper. They have turned out to be great neighbors). If you have to end up calling County Code Enforcement, it's 861-6403.

From Laura: Another organization that might be interested in the welfare of our parks is the Friends of Sarasota County Parks. This is from their web site : The Friends of Sarasota County Parks is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of parks in Sarasota County. Our mission is to build a partnership between the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation system and the community; coordinate and bridge efforts with other like minded community organizations; to advocate for quality services and facilities for all the people of Sarasota County; to encourage the donation of gifts, endowments and bequests for the Sarasota County recreation/preservation system, and to be a friend at every opportunity. Among other things, the site offers virtual tours of several area parks .

A small, friendly band of neighbors enjoyed Saturday's warm afternoon sun, games, and an amazing buffet full of excellent food, including North Carolina Pork, crab muffins, Mexican casserole and lots more, including some wonderful desserts, both home-made, and courtesy of Publix . A huge thank-you to Faith, Ray and Connie, and the very kind folks who shared their culinary skills, their tables, their games, toys and warmth, helping celebrate Hina Point Park as Lake Sarasota's newest amenity.

   DEDICATION  AND POT LUCK Something special happened in our neighborhood. A park was built and with it people became neighbors. On January 24 th at 2:00 pm a Dedication is planned……. Let’s make it a Celebration with an old fashioned Pot Luck! Bring the family…..Bring a friend……..Bring a blanket……..Oh yes, Bring a dish to share………. This will be a day to have fun and get to know the great people that live around you……So please mark your calendar…….. Would appreciate a call asap so we can figure some of our setup needs. Sincerely, Faith 371-2331   LET’S HAVE A GREAT DAY!   

As part of the Call to Service for Martin Luther King Day, ReHabitat of Sarasota called for 45 volunteers to help work on the Ward house on Samoa, and as many as 75 showed up early Monday morning. By a little after noon, they'd done 40 hours worth of work in four hours, said Cas Azera, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity, Sarasota Inc. Azera said the project should take another month or so. ReHabitat is at the house at 6669 Samoa every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We'll have more information as it becomes available. Thanks to ReHabitat and to all who came out. For those who'd like to get involved, more about ReHabitat here . Here are signup links for this  Thursday and Saturday - volunteers are needed!

Hello A.R.T. Members and Friends, A.R.T. volunteers have been working on a SARASOTA BIKE MAP for over three years and the file is finally complete!!  Check it out online at www.bikewalklive.org . We are beginning a fundraiser to raise the money needed for a Spring 2009 printing of 10,000 bike maps. They will be distributed for FREE throughout Sarasota.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!             We need to raise over $6,000, so please do what you can: -Donate online at  www.bikewalklive.org , using JustGive or Paypal. -Join or renew as a member at  http://www.bikewalklive.org/ join.html. -Volunteer to help arrange presentations and/or visit local businesses. -Take out an ad on the bike map or get a friend’s business to take out an ad.              Great green marketing tool, starting at $100.  Call 726-8800 for more info. Please help A.R.T. put this map into the hands of the residents and visitors of Sarasota. Thanks Aubrey Goodman for starting us off with a generous $100 donation! Sincerely, An

A Habitat for Humanity home restoration -- helping an elderly couple who are located in Lake Sarasota -- is among the projects listed on a Call To Service set for Monday, Jan. 19th.  More info here.

The Sarasota County Auxiliary Communications Service is offering a ham radio Technician License course for those individuals interested in obtaining an entry level ham radio license. We understand not everyone has time to spend in a classroom once or twice a week, for several weeks.  For this reason, this course will be strictly "self study" training, which you can do on your own schedule.  A willingness to pre-study and take on-line practice exams is an imperative part of this course. Topics covered in the course, include:  1) Radio Fundamental  2) Electrical and RF Safety  3) Radio Waves and Antennas  4) Communications Modes and Methods  5) Station Setup and Operation  6) Operating Practices  7) Federal Communications Commission Rules  8) Control Operator Duties  9) Emergency Communications 10) Special Operations For those who are committed to doing the course, you will be provided with a no frills, no nonsense Technician Study Guide (purchase of a separate license study ma

A lot of news, plans and lively discussion took place at this well-attended first meeting of the year. Some of these items will be noted briefly here and followed-up as they develop: 1. The LSCG has $647.42 in the kitty. The Thanksgiving Weekend Garage Sale cleared $94.71 in hot dog sales. 2. Three new Yards of the Month were chosen and will be receiving signs from Renee. If you would like to nominate a yard for this award you can do so by contacting Renee at 371-3988 or by emailing her at JPitts9710@aol.com. 3. Ted Cover of Citizens Patrol offered new data from the Sheriff: In October alone, there were 22 thefts along with burglaries and two acts of vandalism. There were 6 thefts in Nov. and 4 in December. Ten of the thefts occurred on Jarvis Rd., 5 on Palau, 4 on Mauna Loa. Sunday 9 am - 5 pm is the most active time for crime, followed by Tuesday 8 am - 9 pm, then Saturday 10 am - 7 pm. Popular items include tools in garages, and Tom-Toms or Garmin GPS systems. Don't leave them v

Our next meeting is this evening, 7 p.m. at Sarasota Baptist, Rm. 100. Come find out what's going on in your neighborhood.  Do you have a local business or service? Come to this meeting to participate in the 2009 Lake Sarasota Business Directory . Come share ideas for using our new Hina Point Park. We'll have an update from Ted on Citizens Patrol, with data from Sheriff's reports for the holiday period. Also . . . We'll hear an update from Debbie of Sarasota Neighborhood Services. Yard of the Month Traffic calming Landscape upkeep Other business as may come up.

Congratulations to Sarasota County Neighborhood Services: Neighborhood Services has accepted a national award from the National Association of Town Watch. “Greater Sarasota” (Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota) was selected to receive the award for it’s outstanding participation in the 25th Annual National Night Out. You can download their latest newsletter (Winter 2009) here .

From Sarasota County Neighborhood Services: A complete set of keys were found in Lake Sarasota yesterday at the corner of Mauna Loa Blvd. and Suva Way. If anyone believes that they are the owners of those keys please call 302-3476 to find a convenient time to get them back.

A resident who works for the post office writes: Hello, I have been a resident of Lake Sarasota since 2000 and a Postal worker since 1991. I am writing this to raise awareness of a study currently being conducted that proves to adversely impact our community as a whole. Please take the time to look at the web site the American Postal  Workers Union, Local 7136 put together for further infomation on how this "Plan" affects you, your family, and your career. The website is  www.keepthemailhere.com . Please sign the petition and pass it along to friends, family and co-workers living in Sarasota, Manatee,and Desoto  county.  Thank you, Kathleen

How can what began 2009 at Hina Point Park become something more? Here's a few words from Faith. Other ideas? -- People have been using the park all day and when Brandon and I walked the dogs neighbors that helped came out and told stories of going to the park last evening and today and meeting others...One of the men said he noticed some straggled limbs so wanted to trim them up so it would look nicer, I think the seed of pride has struck our fallen section of the neighborhood and I really want to encourage it...neighbors became neighbors yesterday not just people living in the neighborhood... Laura called and we talked about ways to keep bringing people together and something for the kids so maybe they will respect it and I thought if someone in LS could instruct some form of martial arts for kids...not like the rigid classes but something that would entice them...if we could find a volunteer...wouldn't that be wonderful and maybe someone to do yoga...well it a thought. I hav

Special thanks to Faith for her inspiration, to Ray and Connie for their detailed plans and preparation, and to all who turned out for their good humor and hard work. And of course to Sarasota County Neighborhood Services , without whose funding and support this would not have been possible. Next Meeting of the Lake Sarasota Community Group: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 7 pm, Sarasota Baptist Church.

If you happen to have a free moment, come out and see Hina Point Park -- it's underway today: